Food Retailers Picked for Ethical Firms List

NEW YORK — Three U.S. food retailers — Safeway, Wegmans Food Markets and Whole Foods Market — have been has been recognized on the Ethisphere Institute's 2012 "World's Most Ethical Companies" list in the retail — food stores category. In addition, Costco Wholesale and Target were selected in the retail — general category.

This is the sixth year Ethisphere has published the WME rankings. The 2012 list features 145 companies in more than three dozen industries, including 40 companies headquartered outside the United States.

The methodology for the WME ranking includes reviewing codes of ethics, litigation and regulatory infraction histories, evaluating the investment in innovation and sustainable business practices, looking at activities designed to improve corporate citizenship, and studying nominations from senior executives, industry peers, suppliers and customers. The "World's Most Ethical Companies" list is published in the current issue of the quarterly magazine Ethisphere.

"Whole Foods Market is honored to be recognized as a company with a conscience," said John Mackey, co-chief executive officer and co-founder of Whole Foods Market, in a statement. "Our core values are at the center of the business philosophy that drives Whole Foods Market's unique culture, growth and success. That success comes from making sure all our stakeholders — team members, customers, suppliers, shareholders, our communities and the environment — are part of our vision."